In his usual
off-hand way he summoned his council, and told them over the dinner-table
what he was going to do. It was more than the vice-admiral's dignity and
caution could endure. In high dudgeon he returned to his ship, and, in
the midst of a gale which suddenly arose and drove the fleet to the north
of the cape, he indited a long and solemn protest, not only against the
contemplated operation, but against the unprecedented despotism with
which Drake was conducting the whole expedition. Borough, though no
doubt jealous of Drake, certainly believed he was doing nothing beyond
his right and duty. He felt he had been attached to the expedition as
the most complete sailor in the kingdom, and he valued and deserved his
reputation. In the scientific knowledge of his art he was unrivalled,
and he was the only officer in the service who had fought and won a
purely naval action. No one, therefore, can fairly blame him for
resenting the revolutionary manner in which his commander was ignoring
him in contempt of the time-honored privileges of the council of war.
Drake, in his hot self-confidence, thought otherwise. As he rode out the
gale under the lee of St. Vincent, and the tempest howled through his
rigging, once more there fell upon him the shadow of the tragedy which
could never cease to darken his judgment.
Pages:
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430